Cultural control through betrayal. Martin F. Manalansan

In Martin F. Manalansan IV text, he talks about a major factor in cultural identity and image between Filipinos who immigrate to the United States. It is interesting how he opens with speaking of Daily City as the “the Filipino capital” because he builds a sense of cultural unity within the city. He discusses the how the root of this identity is not solely on its location in the United States, but also the cultural identity strongly founded in Filipino culture. Yet the later portion of the text depicts a sharp contrast in this united view. There is a dual view of Filipino immigrants as betrayers to their home in the Philippines. The contrast in cultural view between the unity of Daily City and the betrayal of their country of origins provides a sharp contrast in view. It seems that the cultural view within the Philippines is used to repress the desire to leave the nation and control the exportation of its population. The media is one tool the author use when discussing the depiction of immigration to America. The movies depict the children as rude and lost to their cultural background. The characters also present a feeling of dissatisfaction and regret through the movies, ultimately returning to the Philippines to find piece. This cultural view only supports the idea of its use as a tool